Road trip
As I write this, we are 3 hours into a 12-hour road trip home. Perhaps it was about 6 years ago or so, my colleagues from Asia ACTs and I took a road trip across the Cordilleras. We rented a van, and wove our way through Banawe, Sagada, and then Baguio. Then back to Quezon City. On the way home we stopped by Joy’s family home in Tarlac.
I don’t remember now how long it took, probably 3 or 4 days. It was fun because we took our time and there was much chatter on the road.
For this trip, we’re taking public transportation and you either entertained yourself with your own gadgets, or sang along whatever music the drivers and their conductor played. On the way up to Sagada, we slept for the most part of the trip. That was easy, the bus left QC at 830pm and we hasn’t slept since the day before. Now going down the mountains, the trip starts at 3pm. So it’s not so easy to fall asleep, or to stay so for long.
Most people would rather do something else than travel 12 hours to the mountains. I say it’s time well spent when the destination is Sagada. 🙂 Besides, 12 hours of sleep is a gift! Now the time it takes to get back to life, hmm. Well, it’s another gift of time. One can read, or watch movies.
So that’s what I’d been doing the past 2 hours – I watched a movie! That means that this weekend I’ve done quite a lot really:
1. Witness a childhood friend’s wedding
2. Cover a wedding as official photographer
3. Give my niece Shanti another memorable experience before she turns 18
4. Watch 2 movies: The New Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Rachel Getting Married
5. Get a massage (which I said I should have weekly or at least twice a month)
6. Tried a new diner in Sagada (as opposed dining at all the old familiar places only)
7. Walked everyday in the past 3 days until I lost breath.
8. Met a charming little boy (I must share a photo of little Seth)
9. Say hi to old friends
10. See some of my favorite Baguio boys
And the weekend’s not even over yet!
What have you been up to? 🙂
Time check – it has been about 20 mins since I started writing this post and just when I was about to attach a photo of the mountains taken when we were on our way up, I lost network connection. When I do get to post this it will still be thanks to the mostly excellent Globe 3G signal on my iPhone. No, Cable Tours does not have wifi on board.
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:45 pm
Yes, time is gold 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:45 pm
You should consider going! The pictures are amazing, but the place is even more amazing!
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:45 pm
I used my phone so it was just like texting. hehe 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:46 pm
You are so right. Have the end in mind 🙂
verabear
May 30, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
I can only hope I can inspire at least one person, and that would be enough 🙂
Laids
May 30, 2012 @ 8:38 pm
Hmmm, I am thinking to make a list of my do’s in the next few hours.
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Taylor
May 30, 2012 @ 9:52 pm
I’ve never viewed time as a gift, but that’s exactly what is is. Thank you for sharing your weekend.
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Miss `Chievous
May 30, 2012 @ 10:35 pm
I would love to write while on a road trip. Maiba naman yung setting. Cool. Road trip, me want you.
Miss `Chievous´s last [post] ..The Good Life
Belle
May 30, 2012 @ 10:50 pm
I hope you also enjoyed your stay in Baguio. I live in Baguio City with my family but I was from Manila. I have come to love Baguio ever since we moved here and can’t even imagine living anywhere else.:)
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Dominique@Dominique's Desk
May 30, 2012 @ 11:49 pm
It must have been really fun going on a road trip.
I don’t dare go on a road trip as yet as the kids are still very young.
Dominique@Dominique’s Desk´s last [post] ..Boys and Wheels
Yannie
May 31, 2012 @ 5:50 am
The power of technology! LOL
What a hectic schedule you have had. But I`m pretty sure you enjoyed it.
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kat
May 31, 2012 @ 6:08 am
My friends and I will go to Sagada in November. I’m excited!
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sarah
May 31, 2012 @ 8:18 am
Sagada is a great place where a person can recharge one’s tier batteries.
sarah
May 31, 2012 @ 8:19 am
Sagada is a great place where a person can recharge one’s tired batteries.
verabear
May 31, 2012 @ 8:43 am
Tama. Mamaya fly naman ako, try ko rin magsulat. pero maikli lang yun and walang 3G signal siguro. hehe. 🙂
verabear
May 31, 2012 @ 8:48 am
Hi Belle! This time I didn’t pass by Baguio at all but I do intend to visit this year. hopefully. I’m Igorot so I have family in Baguio and Sagada but I was born and grew up in Manila. I am happy to hear you love living in Baguio!
verabear
May 31, 2012 @ 8:50 am
A colleague of mine took a trip to Baguio last month with her 2 year old son. She brought with her a portable DVD to keep the boy amused. Maybe you can try that too 🙂
Daddy Yashiro
June 1, 2012 @ 8:25 am
Hi Vera,
Missed visiting your blog since the closure of adgitize. Anyway, glad that Paula is doing the comment exchange.
Road trips are really fun! And writing while on a road trip is quite interesting. It keeps you inspired specially if the scenery are beautiful.
Daddy Yashiro´s last [post] ..Kids’ Happy Meter
cam sur guides
June 1, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
indeed a beautiful vacation and a great time to spent with old friends. i wish i can go to sagada and the coldillera’s , it was a long time dream.
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verabear
June 2, 2012 @ 8:32 am
It’s not too late, plan your trip for later this year, or even for next year 🙂
verabear
June 2, 2012 @ 8:35 am
I have missed visiting your blog too, and your visits here. The closure of Adgitize is really felt much.
Yes, the scenery helps take your mind off things. Roadtrips can have that calming and centering effect on some people too 🙂
Manilenya Mom
June 2, 2012 @ 8:52 am
one of the many things i would love to do and is in my bucket list, is to travel at least all over the philippines 🙂
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Lady
June 2, 2012 @ 9:38 am
I used to have such a desire for travel. All of a sudden it just wasn’t important anymore. *lol*
It’s nice you get to go to different places 🙂
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Eccentric Yet Happy
June 2, 2012 @ 11:42 am
Wow…a road trip! Mageenjoy ka talaga magtravel.Learning a lot of things while travelling…it’s an experience of a lifetime
Olga
June 2, 2012 @ 5:37 pm
That was a great weekend! The last road trip I’ve taken was more than 5 years ago – no, maybe closer to 10 years ago. We’re just waiting for the kids to grow a little older then we’ll take them on road trips as well.
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jewel
June 2, 2012 @ 8:14 pm
i’m not into travelling really, road trip for me is really tiring even though i’m just sitting ;p
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Jerminix
June 3, 2012 @ 1:22 pm
Glad you had a productive day. Hope I will be as productive as you 🙂
verabear
June 3, 2012 @ 5:21 pm
I understand what you mean. Maybe if you like the destination enough, you will be convinced to take a road trip 🙂
verabear
June 3, 2012 @ 5:24 pm
It would be so much fun to take trips with your kids, I’m sure 🙂 I remember as a kid I would entertain myself on the backseat with simple toys – even just scarves would be enough, haha 🙂
Ms Olga, I was unable to return the visit to your blog due to an error: Account Moved. Hope all is well with your blog 🙂
verabear
June 3, 2012 @ 5:58 pm
I agree, traveling helps broaden ones horizon ika nga 🙂
verabear
June 3, 2012 @ 6:05 pm
Me too! But not just travel, but be able to document those travels too. If only budget and getting off work weren’t important considerations. hehe 🙂
Mitchteryosa
June 3, 2012 @ 6:11 pm
Road trip is fun pag madami, otherwise nakakabored.
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Lalah
June 4, 2012 @ 9:22 am
you are quite a multitasker… 🙂
I love roadtrips I hope I can have one sooon
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aby
June 4, 2012 @ 10:45 am
i want to go to sagada someday! 🙂
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Born27
June 4, 2012 @ 5:57 pm
The way you describe your road trip is inspiring for me to continue my pursuit of taking a road trip with my brother. Thanks for sharing!
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jackie
June 5, 2012 @ 10:01 am
there’s actually numerous ways of fighting boredom and killing the time while in a long trip 🙂
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Michelle Kim
June 11, 2012 @ 10:36 pm
This is a cool, fun and outrageous experience Vera! We’ve done this too 10 years ago. When our friend from Vigan, Philippines brought us for a long trip from Tarlac all the way to Vigan. That was fun! How I wish we can do that again.
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verabear
June 12, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
I haven’t visited Vigan yet, gusto ko rin pumunta dun 🙂
Vanessa Moore
July 13, 2012 @ 7:23 pm
Writing can be done during road trip. It is really great because you can see many things along the road which can be able to help you in your writing. In fact, this can help me on my writing as well.
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Trisha Mckee
July 30, 2012 @ 2:19 pm
I love road trip and taking pictures along the trip. In fact, this year I want to do a lot of road trip and traveling.
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